Wednesday September 12th Local Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Joe Mauer hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run fifth inning, and the Minnesota Twins beat New York for the first time in 10 meetings with a 10-5 victory after another flop in the Yankees’ starting rotation by Sonny Gray. Didi Gregorious answered Mauer’s big bop with his own grand slam in the sixth. That was the only bright spot for the Yankees, who dropped nine games behind Boston in the AL East race and had their lead over Oakland for the first wild card spot cut to two games.

IOWA CITY — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says wants to continue to play Northern Iowa on a regular basis. The Hawkeyes and Panthers meet under the lights on Saturday and the recent history of this series has featured close games.

Ferentz says like the series with Iowa State it is good for the fans in the state.

Iowa is 2-0 but a lot of work needs to be done, especially with the passing game. The Hawks are averaging just over 150 yards through the air and quarterback Nate Stanley is only completing 53 percent of his passes but Ferentz says there are a lot of factors.

Ferentz expects the passing game to improve with practice and more experience.

Ferentz says Stanley is pressing right now and just needs some confidence.

Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley will not say who the Panthers’ starting quarterback will be in this week’s game at Iowa. Colton Howell rallied the Panthers in a 26-23 loss at Montana after starter Eli Dunne connected on only five of his 20 passes.

Farley says no matter who starts at quarterback the UNI offense will face a challenge.

Farley says the Iowa defense has made its first two opponents one dimensional.

Kickoff in Iowa City is scheduled for 6:30 on Saturday night, with the pre-game at 4:30 on AM-1300 KGLO. Also tonight at 6:30, you can hear “Hawk Talk” from the Hawkeye Radio Network.

AMES — Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says the Cyclones have confidence in Zeb Noland if he is the starting quarterback against fifth ranked Oklahoma. Kyle Kempt injured a knee in Saturday’s loss to Iowa and his status for the Sooners is uncertain.

Iowa State stunned the Sooners a year ago in Norman but Campbell says he was most impressed with the way the Cyclones responded to the win.

Heisman winner Baker Mayfield has moved on to the NFL but the Sooner offense is off to an impressive start under Kyler Murray.